Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JK Rowling.

It's his birthday!
We're just friends!
He's been a friend for who's wanted more for years!
He probably doesn't even want that now!
But what if he does?
But what if he doesn't?
You can 'what if' all you like, Lily Evans, but it doesn't change the fact that you haven't got the boy a birthday present or that if you don't do it, he's not going to have any kind of proper eighteenth birthday celebration because -

Wait, did I just refer to myself as 'you'? Further proof that this whole situation is messing with my head. I knew I shouldn't have agreed when Sirius Black asked me to 'partake in James' birthday celebrations', but I did and the butterflies in my stomach were certainly agreeing with my spur-of-the-moment decision. However, at the time of Sirius' asking, I had no idea what exactly my part in the aforementioned celebrations would be and little did I know that I would be the only celebration, which was making the whole thing even more nerve-wracking. What if he laughs in my face and demands to know where the real party is?

Merlin, I'm thoroughly overthinking this, aren't I? This is exactly why girls don't do the asking - they just smile and say 'yes' (not that I hadn't had my fair share of chances to say yes; I'm just an idiot).

"Five o'clock in the Entrance Hall and you'd better be there." said a voice in my ear and I rolled my eyes as Sirius took a seat next to me on the scarlet sofa. Psh! He thought I wasn't actually going to turn up (forgetting the fact that I'd been seriously considering it two minutes ago)?

"What does he know?" I asked.

"Who, James?" In response to my nod, he added, "Nothing."

Nothing? Nothing? So James could be expecting anything at all? What was I supposed to do; go up to him and say 'Unlike the past six years of your life, you're spending the evening of your birthday without a huge all-evening-all-night party and instead I'm dragging you away from all your friends. Come on then!' No? Didn't think so. If the boy had any sense, he'd bolt up to the common room and start his own party ASAP. I told Sirius of my fears and watched in dismay as he got up, laughed and strolled to the other side of the common room to sit with Remus and Peter. Yeah, he laughed and left straight after I confessed my fears. I didn't even get a sympathetic pat on the shoulder or anything.

"By the way, Evans, it's ten to five!"

Shit.

I decided I had time to shoot well deserved glares at the three Marauders cracking up at my misfortune (they just laughed harder), before I launched myself up the stairs leading up to the seventh year girls' dormitory. Luckily for me, there was no-one but me in the dorm, so I was able to replace my uniform with a black skirt and light blue blouse - not forgetting the tights and rather thick cloak I was also wearing. I know what you're thinking ('Why the hell are you wearing that? First dates equal dresses!'), but, seriously, whilst planning my outfit yesterday, I had to consider three things:
1) It's March. In Scotland. This means it's really rather chilly outside. Not to mention it's a Monday. Who dresses up on a Monday? No-one except the insane.
2) This is barely a date. It's merely a birthday present to my friend James that his friend Sirius suggested. Do you hear that, butterflies? Not. A. Date. Well, hardly anyway.
3) I don't even like James that way. I mean, he's funny, intelligent, loyal, sweet and very good looking, even when his hair's sticking out everywhere - which is every day, really. He used to be a bit of a twat, of course, but he's proved himself a good Head Boy and I really do like spending time with him, which is good because, being Head Girl, we do spend a lot of time together. Time which I find myself quite looking forward to... Oh, where was I? Right, yeah, I don't even like him that way. We're friends. Good friends. And will never end up anything more. Probably.

4:56. Four minutes left; just time to brush my hair, put on a bit of make-up and leg it downstairs to the Entrance Hall. Five minutes later, I was just climbing out of the portrait hole. Oops. But, really, did anyone really expect me to be on time? I could hardly run down to the Entrance Hall and risk getting sweaty and out of breath, so I settled on a quick walk down the seven floors. When I reached the second floor, the anxiety kicked in. What am I supposed to say? What's even supposed to happen? Where do we go? Hogsmeade, obviously, but where? What do we do? Who pays? Traditionally, the boy pays, but what happens when it's the boy's birthday? I'm clearly supposed to pay, but if James insists on paying, should I let him or throw a tantrum? Then again, if James doesn't know what's happening then he probably won't have any money on him anyway, which will make things so much easier. Because my mind was elsewhere, I nearly walked straight through the Entrance Hall and out into the grounds until my attention was caught.

"You wouldn't happen to know what this surprise is that Sirius is so excited about, do you?"

I swivelled round and saw James leaning casually against the stone wall wearing a cloak not unlike my own. Oh bugger, I hadn't answered any of my own questions. On the upside, James looked happy to see me stood in the Entrance Hall instead of one of his best friends. He was smiling, anyway.

"As a matter of fact, I do know." I told James, moving over to lean on the wall next to him. He turned his head to me, still smiling.

"Care to share?"

As long as you don't reject me and leave me stood here all embarrassed.

"Well, you see, you and I are going to Hogsmeade."

James looked confused for a moment, raising his eyebrows as he processed what I had said. Then, suddenly, a huge grin appeared on his face.

"You mean like on a date?"

He said the word so disbelievingly that I thought he was going to walk away from me, despite the grin.

"Er – well, not really. If you don't want to go, then it's fine." I had taken a few steps back towards the corridor when James grabbed my wrist, causing me to turn back towards him with a flushed face. His own face was missing a grin.

"Are you serious?" he said slowly, "Was that a joke?"

I just asked him out (well, basically told him we were going on a date) and he thought I was joking?

"No? I mean – yes, I'm serious and no, that wasn't a joke. We're supposed to be going to Hogsmeade, but as I said, it's fine if you don't want to."

"I've been waiting for this exact moment for three years, and you think I don't want to go?" The grin was back on his face and he looked almost giddy with excitement.

"So you do want to go?" I asked, hoping he would clear my confused mind with his answer.

"Of course I do, you idiot!" said James, and I punched him lightly on the shoulder, though it was a bit obvious I didn't mean it as I was grinning like the Cheshire cat.

"So, are we going then?" I asked, motioning towards the front doors.

"Just give me a minute." he said, and I leaned back against the wall. "By the way, we can't just waltz out the front doors unless you want Filch to convince Dumbledore to let him test out his new torture equipment on us."

Maybe I should've thought of that one…

"Well you're the Marauder – lead the way!"

"Just give me a minute." repeated James.

"Why?"

"I'm still trying to get my head round this."

I considered saying 'What's there to get your head round? We're going on a date and you're going to like it' but I thought that may be considered rude, so I settled on nodding whilst trying to look understanding.

"Let me get this straight, you asked me to Hogsmeade, so technically, you're taking me out on a date? Ouch, that's hurting my manly pride, that is."

Oh, stupid, nonsensical 'manly pride'.

"Technically, I never asked you properly, I just told you we were going."

James' eyes lit up behind his glasses at the chance to regain his 'manly pride'.

"So, Lily Evans, would you like to come on a date with me to Hogsmeade? Bear in mind it's my birthday, so you can't say no."

I laughed and said, "I would be delighted. I can't possibly deny you and your manliness, especially on this very special day."

"Could you just say: 'I, Lily Evans, am being taken out on a date by one James Potter because he is marvellous and super manly'?"

I, Lily Evans, am being taken out on a date by one James Potter because he is marvellous and super manly, but I'm not going to let him hear me say it.

"Why don't we just go on the bloody date?"

"Aye aye, captain!" said James with a mock salute. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the corridor leading back into school. "We can go in through a secret passage and then we'll never get caught."

I would've replied, but I noticed that James was still holding my hand. I realised I quite liked the feel of his hand in mine and didn't pull away. The butterflies in my stomach were seriously threatening to burst out, and when James slightly squeezed my hand, I think I died (okay – maybe a slight exaggeration there). We had just reached the fourth floor when I stopped walking, causing James to stop moving too. He looked at me quizzically.

"I haven't said 'happy birthday' to you yet, have I?" I said, frowning to myself.

"You just did."

I rolled my eyes at his comment and dropped his hand, though I was still smiling. I stood up on my tip-toes and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Happy birthday, James." I whispered into his ear, before dropping a quick kiss onto his lips. Before he could respond, I detangled my arms from his neck and dropped back onto my heels. I took hold of his hand again and nudged him forwards. "Where's this secret passageway, then?"

A/N: Sorry this is bad – I just wanted something up for James' birthday! Sometime in the hopefully near future, I'll upload a second part that will include the actual date! Please review, favourite etc. Thanks for reading!